Ward Union vote a difficult judgement call, says Wallace

The Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, has said that he doesn't believe last week's banning of stag hunting will mean that the members of the hunt will give up equestrian or hunting activities altogether. In a letter to the Ratoath TD, Mary Wallace, the Taoiseach made it "absolutely clear" that the Wildlife Amendment Bill 2010 passed in the Dail last week does no more than bringing to an end the practice of stag hunting in Meath. "Other rural pursuits such as shooting and fishing are simply not affected by this Bill and there is no other proposal before this Government to impact on these rural sports," said Mr Cowen. In the letter, Mr Cowen said that, obviously, the issue of the Ward Union is very important for many of her constituents and he appreciated the sincerely held concerns she highlighted before, during and after the passage of the Bill in the Dail. Tuesday night of last week saw the Government survive a crucial Dail vote on the stag hunting ban, which was passed by 75 votes to 72 in an electronic vote and 75 to 71 in a walk-through vote in which Tipperary South TD Mattie McGrath abstained, causing him to lose the Fianna Fail whip. Labour TD Tommy Broughan, a long-term opponent of bloodsports, also lost his party whip, as he abstained from the vote. Meath deputies Mary Wallace, Johnny Brady and Thomas Byrne all voted in favour of the legislation, having spoken out against it last week. Afterwards, Deputy Wallace, who is based close to the Ward Union headquarters at Greenpark, issued a statement on her position. She said that, in her 20 years in the Dail, she could not recall a more difficult situation than the one that she now find herself in last week. "I have thought long and hard about the circumstances and impacts of this legislation, and for me, this is a very difficult judgement call," she said. "I have made it abundantly clear that I oppose the legislation banning the Ward Union and have outlined my objections to this Bill before the House last Thursday. I am not going to reiterate my arguments now, other than to assert that they are based on facts and not on ideology. In fact, since last October, when this commitment appeared in the Programme for Government, I have worked tirelessly to lobby against this Bill proceeding in this form and I have sought a renewal of the 2010/2011 license for the Ward Union Hunt. This was not a big ask and one that Minister Gormley has within his gift to grant - I'm furious that the guillotine was applied in this manner," she said. Ms Wallace said: "I object to the fact that I have to argue against legislation that is an ideological concession to our partners in Government. I object to the fact that my community will suffer so that the Green Party can 'tick a box'. I object to the fact that this legislation has been drafted with insufficient consultation. I object to the fact that this legislation does nothing to address the serious challenges we face as a country but will in fact have a negative impact on the local economy in Meath." Deputy Wallace said her biggest objection was being put in a position where she had to choose between legislation she opposed and a Government that she supported. "I have decided, in the national interest, not to be instrumental in the fall of this Government," she added. "Despite my strong objections to this Bill, I believe a general election would be wrong for the country and, indeed, for my community. For 20 years." She said she would not tolerate any further meddling with the needs of the community, be it urban or rural. "Tough decisions can and probably will be made as we chart our way out of this economic downturn. These are economic decisions that have a purpose and are a response to dealing with the downturn. But never again will I support an ideological sop to our minority partners, the Green Party, who blatantly don't understand the realities of rural life." Following the vote outcome, the members of the Ward Union Hunt Club issued a statement saying they were extremely disappointed at the result of the vote in the Dáil. "We wish to thank all those public representatives, as well as the many followers of other rural pursuits throughout the country, who expressed their support and worked so hard on our behalf. It is now a matter for our officers, committee and members to consider their options, following the Dáil vote," they added. In the meantime, the Ward Union knackery service will continue as before.